DISCUSSION GUIDE

Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines

PBS.ORG/INDEPENDENTLENS/WONDER-WOMEN Table of Contents

1 Using this Guide

2 From the Filmmaker

3 The Film

4 Background Information

5 Feminism — A Brief Review

6 How Are Women Doing?

6 Women, the Mass Media, and Popular Culture

7 Portrayal on the Small Screen

7 More Women Needed

8 Thinking More Deeply

9 Suggestions for Action

10-11 Resources

12 Credits

national center for MEDIA ENGAGEMENT Using this Guide

Community Cinema is a rare public forum: a space for people to gather who are connected by a love of stories, and a belief in their power to change the world. This discussion guide is designed as a tool to facilitate dialogue, and deepen understanding of the complex issues in the film Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines . It is also an invitation to not only sit back and enjoy the show — but to step up and take action. This guide is not meant to be a comprehensive primer on a given topic. Rather, it provides important context, and raises thought provoking questions to encourage viewers to think more deeply. We provide suggestions for areas to explore in panel discussions, in the classroom, in communities, and online. We also provide valuable resources, and connections to organizations on the ground that are fighting to make a difference.

For information about the program, visit www.communitycinema.org

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 1 From the Filmmaker Like most women and men of my generation, I grew up with Lynda Carter’s Wonder Woman TV show. It was the late ‘70s, the show was already in the constant rotation of syndication, and there simply wasn’t anything else out there that captured my imagination as a little girl. I had friends who were Wonder Woman for Halloween year after year because there were so few options for girls as fantasy heroes.

When I started telling people about this film, men and women had I loved the idea of looking at something as populist as comics to wildly different reactions. Most of the guys admitted that Wonder reveal our cultural obsessions — in particular, how women’s roles Woman was their first TV crush. Women reminisced about how have changed over time. The narratives of our most iconic super- they pretended to be her: twirling a rope to capture foes or spin- heroes, told and retold over decades, boldly outline our shifting ning to transform themselves into superheroes. values. That’s one story Wonder Women! tells, but to me, it’s not the most interesting one. I hope the film also conveys the unpre- Fast-forward some thirty years and I was reading a New York dictable ways those icons can shape and even transform us in Times article that introduced Gail Simone as (the comic book) return. For some it’s Tomb Raider’s Lara Croft, for others it’s Buffy Wonder Woman’s first female “ongoing writer” EVER. Here was the Vampire Slayer, but we all need those iconic heroines who tell this incredible feminist symbol who had always been stuck, like a us we have the power to slay our dragons and don’t have to wait lot of strong female characters, between being created by men around to be rescued. and being primarily consumed by boys. The story stayed with me, and I began looking into Wonder Woman’s origins. Her creator, William Moulton Marston, was a fascinating character who set out to create an empowering role model amid a lot of superviolent male heroes. Of course, he also had some interesting ideas about what a strong female hero should look like. But his creation has endured while so many others have been forgotten.

Kristy Guevara-Flanagan Filmmaker

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 2 The Film Comic books have been a staple of American popular culture An array of experts appears in the film, extolling the virtues of since the 1920s, but their popularity soared when the adven- Wonder Woman and emphasizing the importance of female role tures of superheroes began filling their pages in the late 1930s. models in the mass media. From feminist leader Gloria Steinem to For a population coming out of the Great Depression, comic- fourth grader Katie Pineda, the message is that we need super- book superheroes provided a much-needed boost to the spirits. heroines in our lives. The enduring appeal of Wonder Woman Overwhelmingly, these action heroes were men — until 1941, rests on what she symbolizes — strength, love, truth, a sense of when a female superhero arrived on the scene and captured the fairness and justice, and an unending quest for harmony among imagination like no others before her. She was Wonder Woman, human beings. and Wonder Women! tells the story of her creation and her enduring popularity as a role model and feminist icon. Selected Individuals Featured in Wonder Women! The Untold Story of American Superheroines Wonder Woman was created by William Moulton Marston, a Danny Fingeroth — Author, Superman on the Couch: What Harvard-educated lawyer and psychologist. Marston was a strong Superheroes Really Tell Us about Ourselves and Our Society supporter of the early 20th-century movements for women’s rights. He felt that women were the key to world peace and that Mike Madrid — Author, The Supergirls : Fashion, Feminism, Fantasy, fostering feminine values of harmony and strength through love and the History of Comic Book Heroines would set humanity on the right path. In addition to showing that Gloria Steinem — Feminist; Journalist there was an alternative to the physical violence of male super- heroes, Marston’s Wonder Woman served as propaganda for a Jennifer Stuller — Author, Ink-Stained Amazons and Cinematic system of female rule. Warriors: Superwomen in Modern Mythology Wonder Woman was a patriotic symbol during World War II as Trina Robbins — Author, The Great Women Superheroes women entered the workforce to take the place of men, but once L. S. Kim — Associate professor of Film and Digital Media, UC the men returned after the war, she morphed into a more docile, Santa Cruz traditional female. Over the next several decades, the comic-book character of Wonder Woman mirrored the changes in women’s Dr. Kathleen Noble — Psychologist; Author roles and status in American society. The feminist movement of Lynda Carter — Actress, Wonder Woman the 1960s, looking for a figure that embodied strong womanhood, returned to the original depiction of Wonder Woman, who burst Lindsay Wagner — Actress, The Bionic Woman onto the cover of the first issue of Ms. magazine. In the wake Judith “Jack” Halberstam — Professor; Author, Female Masculinity of the popularity of the 1970s Wonder Woman TV show, other superheroines appeared, both on TV and in movies. The portrayal Dr. Katy Gilpatric — Sociologist of women in the mass media underwent numerous changes, from Kathleen Hanna — Lead singer, Bikini Kill; Co-founder, muscular, gun-toting, male-like characters to softer, self-sacrificing Riot Grrrl zine individuals, reflecting not just societal attitudes toward women but also the demographics of mass-media production, where 97 Jane Espenson — TV writer, Buffy the Vampire Slayer percent of the decision-making positions are held by men. Jehmu Greene — Former president, Women’s Media Center (Find more information on featured individuals at wonderwomendoc.com)

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 3 Background Information

The Need for Superheroes… Superheroes figure prominently in our national culture. They “star” The Man Who Created Wonder Woman in a variety of media — print, TV, film, video games — and the size of Three things inspired William Moulton Marston (1893-1947) audiences for superhero movies is just one measure of their wide- to create a female superhero: his studies of emotions and spread popularity. The attractiveness of these larger-than-life figures behavior, his own interest in and support of women’s rights, is not a modern phenomenon. Human history is filled with heroic and his wife Elizabeth. Marston, who had three Harvard tales, from the mythology of the Greeks and Romans, to the Norse degrees — a BA, a law degree, and a Ph.D. in psychology — legends, to the tall tales of the American West. was the inventor of the lie detector, a device based on the Why are we so drawn to these characters? What is their appeal? changes in a person’s blood pressure while being ques- On one level, they provide role models who exemplify “good” behav- tioned. During the 1920s he taught at American University ior, showing us the right thing to do. When they use their superhu- and Tufts University, among other places; conducted man powers to conquer wrongdoers, we can glimpse the possibility research; and developed his DISC theory, which centers of overcoming “evildoers” in our own lives. On another level, stories around four different personality traits: dominance, induce- of heroes and superheroes help us understand what often seems ment, submission, and compliance. Marston applied this to be a chaotic world. Ancient peoples created myths to explain theory when he consulted with Universal Studios in 1930 to the causes of both natural and man-made events, to impose a kind help them with the transition from silent pictures to movies of clarity on an otherwise mysterious world. By drawing clear lines with sound. A fan of popular culture, he described the educa- between good and evil, superheroes strive to maintain an ideal soci- tional potential of the comics in an article published in Family ety, where good is rewarded and evil is rooted out. Through their Circle magazine in 1940. This caught the eye of comic-book selfless actions they champion the moral and the ethical, showing publisher Max Gaines, who hired Marston as an educational us that we too can follow their path to creating a better world, and consultant for the two companies that would later merge to in this way, they give us hope. become DC Comics. At the time, the comics were dominated by powerful male characters such as the Green Lantern, … and Superheroines Superman, and Batman. Marston, an ardent supporter of Comic-book superheroes began appearing in the 1930s with the women’s rights — including birth control, suffrage, and career creation of Superman in 1938, and until Wonder Woman came equity — came up with the idea of a new kind of superhero, along in the early 1940s, almost all comic-book action heroes one who would rely not on fists and firepower, but who would were men. Wonder Woman’s creator, William Moulton Marston use the personality traits of his DISC theory. It was his wife (see sidebar), recognized that the superhero role should not be who suggested that he make the superhero a woman. limited to men using aggressive force and physical prowess as their main weapons. Marston saw the need for a female hero Wonder Woman began her long-running career in 1941 who combined strength and love to fight evil and who would also when she first appeared as a character in All-Star Comics; serve as a positive role model for girls. “Not even girls want to she made her solo debut in her own comic book in 1942. be girls so long as our feminine archetype lacks force, strength, Marston based her character on the two women in his and power,” he said. “The obvious remedy is to create a feminine life — his wife, Elizabeth Holloway Marston, and his former character with all the strength of Superman plus all the allure student Olive Byrne, who was the author of the article in of a good and beautiful woman.” Believing in the educational Family Circle magazine. Both women could be described as potential of comic books, Marston intended to impress young truly “liberated” by modern standards. Elizabeth earned three readers with his creation, who represented a new type of strong, degrees and became a career woman at a time when doing independent, self-confident woman, a type he felt was the hope such things was revolutionary for a woman. She had her for a better future. first child at age 35 and continued to work after her children were born. Olive lived with the Marstons in a three-way Source relationship beginning in the late 1920s and gave birth to » www.scu.edu/ethics/publications/ethicsoutlook/2005/heroes.html two of Marston’s children. Elizabeth and Olive remained » wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_do_we_need_superheroes_in_your_society together for four decades after Marston died, until Olive’s death in the late 1980s.

Sources » www.discprofile.com/williammoultonmarston.htm » www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=7921

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 4 Feminism — A Brief Review In spite of changes in the way she was portrayed in the decades following World War II, Wonder Woman in her original incarnation remains a feminist icon. Like Wonder Woman, feminism too has gone through changes since women first took up the cause.

Definitions An Evolving Movement Feminism — the belief that women should be allowed the same In recent years, there have been mass-media reports suggest- rights, power, and opportunities as men and be treated in the same ing that feminism is dead. While women are no longer marching way; it encompasses activities aimed at defining, establishing, and in the streets to demand equal rights as they did in the 1970s, defending equal political, economic, and social rights for women. progressive feminism is still very much alive. Many women are still struggling with issues such as equal pay and reproductive Feminist theory — the extension of feminism into theoretical or rights — two of the major goals of second-wave feminists — and philosophical discourse with the aim of understanding gender younger women are looking at women’s rights more broadly. Their inequality by examining women's social roles and lived experi- focus is not only on equality for women here in the United States, ence; it takes into account such things as gender politics, power but also on justice and a better life for women around the world. relations, and sexuality. Thus, their concerns now include violence against women both Feminism’s first wave was defined by the suffrage movement of here and abroad, working conditions for women in garment facto- the early 20th century, which resulted in women in the United ries in poor countries, and the rights of LGBTQ individuals. States obtaining the right to vote in 1919. Work Remaining The second wave of feminism began in the 1960s, stirred by In spite of the seeming quiescence of feminism, the movement is the publication of The Feminine Mystique by Betty Friedan. The far from dead. Among the issues affecting women’s status and movement focused on the limits placed on women, especially in well-being that feminists of both sexes continue to tackle are the workplace, and struggled against the accepted notion that a woman’s place was in the home. The term women’s liberation was s women’s control over their bodies, including reproductive rights; often used synonymously with feminism. s equal pay for equal work; The third wave of feminism arose in the 1990s, challenging the s increased access to professional opportunities in the fields of second wave’s emphasis on the experience of middle-class white science, diplomacy, mass media, and others; women. It broadened feminism’s goals to encompass equal rights s even-handed treatment by law enforcement and the legal system; for all people regardless of race, creed, economic or educational s freedom from sexism in the public sphere. status, physical appearance or ability, or sexual orientation. Sources: » campusprogress.org/articles/feminism_today_breaks_new_ground_but_it_ isnt_pro-life » theradicalidea.wordpress.com/2012/03/23/feminism-today-do-we-still-need- it-wtffeminism-pt-3

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 5 How Are Women Women, the Mass Media, Doing? and Popular Culture In the Labor Force: The mass media, including print, film, and TV, provide a picture of s In 2011, women made up 46.6% of the labor force, which “reality” created through deliberate decisions by writers, produc- included 56.5% of all mothers with children under the age of 1. ers, and others, reflecting its creators’ vision and ideas about the society we live in. From the demographics associated with most s In 2010, the median weekly earnings of women who were full- mass-media products, the picture that emerges is that of a man’s time wage and salary workers were $669, or 81% of men’s $824. world. Women may comprise 51 percent of the U.S. popula- In Business: tion, but they are present in much smaller numbers in the mass s According to a 2012 study, women received only 11% of the media. This is true both for women on the screen and behind the capital investment but comprised the top 20% of successful scenes. According to 2011 statistics compiled by the Women’s entrepreneurs in 2011, while male entrepreneurs received Media Center: 89% of the capital investment and comprised 80% of the top s In mainstream broadcast and print news, 24 percent of the peo- entrepreneurs. ple interviewed, heard, seen, or read about were female; only 13 s Net income growth for companies with women on the board has percent of stories focused specifically on women and 6 percent averaged 14% over the past six years, whereas companies with on issues of gender equality or inequality. no female representation have seen just 10% growth. s Women represented just over 21 percent of guests on Sunday s Women’s representation in Fortune 500 leadership positions has morning news talk shows airing on NBC, CBS, ABC, CNN, and stagnated in recent years (from 2009-2011), hovering between Fox News. 13.5% and 14.1%. s On situation comedies, dramas, and reality programs airing on In Leadership: the broadcast networks in the 2010-11 prime-time TV season, s In 2012, women constituted 26% of senior leadership roles on women accounted for 25 percent of all creators, executive average across all governmental agencies and 26% of federal producers, producers, directors, writers, editors, and directors judgeships. of photography. The breakdown of women’s positions is: writers, s Twenty women will hold Senate seats in the 113th Congress, the 15 percent; directors, 11 percent; and directors of photography, most ever. 4 percent. s Of the 435 members of the House of Representatives, 78 of those s On the top 250 highest-grossing domestic films, women comprised in the 113th Congress will be women, breaking the current record 18 percent of all directors, executive producers, producers, writers, of 73. cinematographers, and editors. The breakdown of women’s positions is: directors, 5 percent; writers, 15 percent; and cinematographers, s Women in New Hampshire made political history in the 2012 4 percent. election. For the first time, a state will have not only a woman governor (Maggie Hassan), but also an all-female congressional delegation that includes both representatives in the House and both U.S. senators.

Sources: » www.catalyst.org/knowledge/statistical-overview-women-workplace » www.dol.gov/wb/factsheets/Qf-laborforce-10.htm#.ULd68Y7FVdg » www.newswise.com/articles/study-highlights-the-current-state-of-women-in- leadership-roles » www.policymic.com/articles/18655/women-candidates-made-historic-gains- in-representation---2012-election-results

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 6 Portrayal on the More Women Needed An article by Alan Kistler at Newsarama.com, a source of news Small Screen about the comic-book industry, calls for more movies featuring As Wonder Women! points out, how women are portrayed in female superheroes. Here is one example of the gender imbal- the mass media has shifted from decade to decade, depending ance in the presence of superheroes in film: on developments in the broader American society. Using the In the past 22 years, Batman has been the star of six live-action shorthand of stereotyping, the visual media often show women theatrical films (and a seventh coming next year), one animated as sexualized, decorative, weak, and dependent on men. A theatrical film, about a half dozen direct-to-DVD animated films 2012 study sponsored by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender (with another one coming in a few months), and has starred in in Media looked at prime-time sitcoms and dramas, children’s three of his own cartoon shows with another one coming up. In programming, and family films. It revealed a dearth of females in the past 22 years, Wonder Woman has had one direct-to-DVD popular entertainment and described the limited roles played by film, no cartoon shows where she was the main star, no theatri- those characters. For example: cal films, and a failed pilot. s The number of male characters and narrators exceeds the number of females, especially in family films and children’s shows. Sources: » www.newsarama.com/comics/female-superheroes-need-movies-111005.html s Females are far more likely than males to be shown wearing sexy and revealing attire, have exposed skin, and be referred to as physically attractive. s When it comes to occupations, women characters hold a minority of the jobs — 20.3 percent of the total on-screen occupations in family films and 34.4 percent of all jobs in prime-time programs; they are 25.3 percent of those employed in children’s shows, and only a minority overall are depicted in high-level jobs.

Sources: » www.womensmediacenter.com/pages/the-problem » www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org/downloads/KeyFindings_GenderRoles.pdf

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 7 Topics and Issues Relevant Thinking More Deeply to Wonder Women! 1. Are powerful women at a disadvantage in our society? If so, why? What are some of the ways people — both men and The Untold Story of women — describe and react to a strong woman? 2. What do you think of when you hear the words feminism or American Superheroines feminist? How do you define those terms? A screening of Wonder Women! The Untold Story of 3. Some young women today say they don’t need to be feminists American Superheroines can be used to spark interest in because all the battles for equality have been won, while others any of the following topics and inspire both individual and say the status and the rights of women still need to be improved. community action. In planning a screening, consider finding Which assessment do you agree with and why? speakers, panelists, or discussion leaders who have exper- 4. Why do you think women are so often portrayed in the mass media tise in one or more of the following areas: as sexualized, as having only romantic interests, and generally as Feminism accessories to men? If men constitute the majority of writers and producers of mass media, what does this say about them? Female heroes Mythology 5. Is the portrayal of women as muscular, aggressive, and physically strong an appropriate way to show that women can be powerful? Power: varieties, sources, expressions Is it realistic to portray women in this way? Where in our culture History of comics are there strong, muscular women? Where are there women Role models doing the same type of physical labor as men? Media and culture 6. William Moulton Marston, the creator of Wonder Woman, Gender issues believed that having women in positions of authority was the key Women in the mass media to having a peaceful world. Do you agree? Why or why not? Do women rule differently than men? Media literacy Female leaders 7. What did the 2012 campaign and election results say about the role, status, and power of women in the United States? 8. Is it important to have female heroes and other female characters in the mass media to serve as role models for girls? Can male figures serve this purpose for both sexes? Why or why not? 9. The term hero is used in many different contexts today. What do you feel are the characteristics of a hero? Who are your heroes?

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 8 Suggestions for Action Together with other audience members, brainstorm actions that you might take as an individual and that people might do as a group. Here are some ideas to get you started:

1. Plan some critical TV viewing with your family. Choose a par- 4. Help to put more women in leadership roles. Encourage qualified ticular day or a specific set of programs and watch for the way women you know to run for office and support women candidates female characters are portrayed. How are the males portrayed? who are committed to policies that will have a positive impact on Count the number of male characters and female characters. Do women. Visit the She Should Run website (www.sheshouldrun. the same with the commercials. Have a family discussion about org) to find out how you can be actively involved in getting more reasons for the gender imbalance and how female characters women to run for public office. could be given an equal voice. 5. Organize a celebration of heroines in your community. Work with 2. Help fight sexism in the mass media. If you notice sexism, report local houses of worship or civic organizations to identify local it to the Women’s Media Center, which provides a form for this heroes (this could include an essay contest or other nomination purpose; you can find it at www.womensmediacenter.com/ process through schools or libraries) and plan an event where page/s/report-media-sexism. the heroes could be honored. 3. The Girl Scouts of the USA offers a number of ways to get 6. Take note of the bylines in the publications you read, especially involved in helping girls reach their full potential. One program articles about business, politics, and government. If the journalists is “ToGetHerThere,” a bold advocacy initiative dedicated to girls' are mostly male, write to the editor(s) and ask to see more writing leadership issues and the long-term goal of which is to create by women on those topics. Similarly, if news and talk shows you gender-balanced leadership in one generation. Opportunities see on TV are dominated by men, write to the program directors for volunteers include actions to promote healthy body image, asking for more women’s voices on those programs. support STEM careers, end “mean girl” bullying, and more. Get For additional outreach ideas, visit www.communitycinema.org. detailed information at www.togetherthere.org. For local information, check the website of your PBS station.

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 9 Resources wonderwomendoc.com — This is the official website of the film now.org — The National Organization for Women (NOW) is the Wonder Women! largest organization of feminist activists in the United States, with chapters in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. NOW femalesuperheroes.blogspot.com — This website provides brief works to eliminate discrimination and harassment in the workplace, descriptions of seven major comic-book superheroines. schools, the justice system, and all other sectors of society; secure womenandgirlslead.org — The website for Women and Girls abortion, birth control, and reproductive rights for all women; end Lead is a resource to find independent documentaries, public all forms of violence against women; eradicate racism, sexism, and media initiatives, and organizations that promote the advancement homophobia; and promote equality and justice in our society. of women and girls. msmagazine.com — Ms. magazine was the first national magazine Mass-Media Images of Girls and Women to make feminist voices audible and to make a feminist worldview www.about-face.org — About-Face is a San Francisco-based available to the public. It is recognized nationally and internationally project that equips women and girls with tools to understand and as the mass-media expert on issues relating to women’s status, resist harmful mass-media messages that affect their self-esteem rights, and points of view. and body image. www.whereisyourline.org — The Line Campaign is a nonprofit www.sparksummit.com — SPARK is a girl-fueled activist move- organization that is committed to empowering young leaders to ment to demand an end to the sexualization of women and girls in create a world without sexual violence by using critical dialogues the mass media. and original media to inspire action and by developing leadership among diverse groups within their communities. www.thegeenadavisinstitute.org/index.php — The Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media is “the only research-based orga- Women as Leaders nization working within the media and entertainment industry to www.womensmedia.com/lead/88-women-and-leadership- engage, educate, and influence the need for gender balance, delicate-balancing-act.html — This article sums up the prevailing reducing stereotyping, and creating a wide variety of female perceptions of women in leadership roles and the challenges characters for entertainment targeting children 11 and under.” they face. www.womensmediacenter.com/content — The Women’s Media www.sheshouldrun.org — She Should Run is a nonprofit, nonpar- Center works with the mass media to ensure that women’s stories tisan organization dedicated to increasing the number of women are told and women’s voices are heard. Its methods include in public leadership roles by eliminating and overcoming barriers mass-media advocacy campaigns, mass-media monitoring for to success. sexism, creating original content, and training women and girls to plen.org — The Public Leadership Education Network (PLEN) is participate in the mass media. the only national organization with the sole focus of preparing www.girlscouts.org/who_we_are/advocacy/ college women for leadership in the public-policy arena. A non- watchwhatyouwatch/healthymedia.asp — With the support of partisan, nonprofit organization based in Washington, D.C., PLEN the National Association of Broadcasters, the National Cable and introduces college women to role models, career paths, and skills Telecommunications Association, and the Creative Coalition, the trainings before they enter the workforce. Girl Scouts of the USA’s Healthy Media Commission convened itvs.org/women-and-girls-lead/resources — A collection of the first national dialogue on healthy images of women and girls discussion guides and free curriculum for documentary films that in the mass media and is spearheading an industry-wide commit- spotlight women and girls’ leadership. ment to promote positive mass-media images.

Women’s Rights feminist.org — The Feminist Majority Foundation, founded in 1987, is a cutting-edge organization dedicated to women's equality, reproductive health, and nonviolence, utilizing research and action to empower women economically, socially, and politically. Its web- site includes a list and brief descriptions of feminist comics.

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 10 Resources

Role Models Media Literacy myhero.com/go/home.asp — The My Hero Project uses media namle.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/ and technology to celebrate the best of humanity and to create NAMLEKeyQuestions0708.pdf — The National Association for a virtual space where people of all ages can share and discover Media Literacy Education (NAMLE) is a national membership stories about real-life heroes from around the globe. By providing organization dedicated to advancing the field of media literacy a variety of free resources, the My Hero Project enables people to education in the United States. This list of key questions is a recognize the heroes who inspire them and in turn to inspire others. guide for analyzing and critiquing the mass media. tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ www.aml.ca — The Association for Media Literacy is made up of GirlsNeedRoleModels — This site surveys a variety of media, teachers, librarians, consultants, parents, cultural workers, and focusing on female characters who serve as role models. media professionals concerned about the impact of the mass media on contemporary culture. www.amightygirl.com/books/mighty-girls-women/ role-models — A Mighty Girl is an extensive resource list of books, itvs.org/educators — Find curriculum that uses documentary toys, movies, and music for parents, teachers, and others dedicated film, online games, and apps to discuss media literacy. Visit this to raising smart, confident, and courageous girls. website for announcements about curriculum for the Wonder Women online game.

DISCUSSION GUIDE // WONDER WOMEN! 11 DISCUSSION GUIDE

Credits Karen Zill Writer Jocelyn Truitt Copy Editor ITVS Engagement & Education Team Sara Brissenden-Smith National Community Engagement Manager Chi Do Director of Engagement & Education Renee Gasch Engagement & Education Coordinator Annelise Wunderlich Education Manager Michael Silva Senior Designer Locsi Ferra Thematic Campaign Manager, Women and Girls Lead Nallaly Jimenez Engagement & Education Assistant ITVS The Independent Television Service (ITVS) funds, presents, and promotes award-winning independently produced documentaries and dramas on public television and cable, innovative new media projects on the internet, and the Emmy Award-winning series Independent Lens on PBS. ITVS receives core funding from the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, a private corporation funded by the American people. Learn more at www.itvs.org Women and Girls Lead is a public media initiative to focus, educate, and connect citizens worldwide in support of the issues facing women and girls. Learn more at womenandgirlslead.org

Wyncote Foundation

national center for MEDIA ENGAGEMENT